Combination washer and drier



g- 19, 1952 A. R. CONSTANTINE 2,607,209

COMBINATION WASHER AND DRIER Fi'led June 9, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l INVENTOR. I Q ARTHUR R. CONSTANTINE.

ATTORNEY.

1952 A. R. CONSTANTINE 2 ,607,209

COMBINATION WASHER AND DRIER Filed June 9, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I TOR. ARTHUR R. CONSTANTINE.

ATTORNEY.

Aug- 19,-19 2 A. R. CONSTANTINE 0 COMBINATION WASHER AND DRIER Filed June 9, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1N VEN TOR. ARTHUR R. CONSTANT! NE.

ATTORNE Patented Aug. 19, 1952 COMBINATION WASHER AND .DRIER I Arthur R. Constantine, South Bend, Ind., assignor to Bendix Home Appliances, Inc., South Bend, Ind., a corporation of Delaware Application June 9, 1948, Serial No. 31,894

Thisinvention relates to a combinationwasher and dryer .and generally to a mechanism for accomplishing the drying of clothesin the same machine in whichthey are; washed,

- -,In machines providing. for a combination washing and drying of clothes which employ a heating element for use in the dryingcycle, it is generally important that the heating element be located in close relationship to the tub in which the clothes are washed. It is a problem in such machines to provide for the carrying away of lint particles and to prevent their accumulation in and around the heating elements, and also to counter the tendency of such particles to burn andotherwise deposit residue in and around the conduits provided for air circulation. Also, in

. view of the fact that communication is necessary from the heating chamber and its conduit system into the washing chamber, the washing liquid may, unless a special provision is made, produce a deposit of detergent material or soap particles in the air circulating system or on the heating elements whichmay, if no provision is made for removal, cause objectionable odor and objectionable deposit throughout the system.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide means to clean the heating element adjacent a washing and drying chamber 'of a combination washing and drying machine by providing for flow of water used for filling the machine for washing over said heating element to remove lint and other extraneous matter therefrom. It is a further object to provide, in a combination washing and drying machine, a connecting passage between a heating chamber and a washing and drying chamber, which passage need not be closed at any time but may be left open while the-machine is in operation as a washer as well as when it is operated as a dryer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a laundry machine with a system for circulating heated air through the tub of the machine in order to effect the drying of the clothes contained in the tub and providing also for condensing moisture and carrying away of lint but without exhausting moisture laden air and lint into the atmosphere of the room.

The above and other objects and features of this invention will appear more fully in the detailed description which follows and in the drawings forming a part hereof and wherein:

in Figure 1 with the rear panel removed to show the driving mechanism, condenser tube, blower. and water inlet system. Figure 3 is ayiew on line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing the general arrangement. Figure 4' is a view on line l4 of Figur e 3 showing the heating elements. Referring to the drawings, a tub l0-has a, clothes cylinder II mounted for rotation there-- in. In "this case the clothes cylinder H has" a. preforated outer periphery and a screened or perforated front wall [2 which will allow air'to enter therein. The clothes cylinder H is; v mounted for rotation and is supported from its; back wall within the tubeplll, by meansfofa shaft I3, and rotated by a pulley I3A, belt Ill, electric motor l5 and transmission l6. The bottom of the tub I0 is provided with an opening leading toa sump l1" which connects with a tube [8 of relatively large diameter which is herein referred to' as a condenser tube IS. The tube l8 is'curve'd from the bottom of the sump I! in a generally vertical" direction and is mounted at the rear of the .tub l0 and its top end connects with'a'central inlet portion of a centrifugal type blower housing l9, shown particularly in Figure 3, the blower housing [9 has a tangential outlet into a horizontally positioned conduit 20, the blower inlet and outlet thereby efi'ecting a turn in the path of air travel from the nearly vertical'tube [8 to the horizontal conduit 20. 'Also shown in Figure 3 is a blower wheel 2| which is mounted inside the housing I!) at the juncture of the condensing tube I8 and the horizontal conduit 20. A motor 22 for rotating the blower wheel 2| is mounted above the blower housing 19 as shown in Figure 2. The horizontally positioned duct 20 has a plurality of electric heatingelements 24 supported therein, electrical connections24A for such heating elements being positioned on the outside of the conduit 20 as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

As shown in Figure 3, at the end of the conduit 20 which is opposite the blower 2|, an opening 23 in the wall of the tub II] is provided in order that the conduit 20 will bein communication with the interior of the tub I0 and also with the interior of the clothes containing cylinder ll through the screened front wall 12 thereof. It may also be noted that an outer wall 243 of the conduit 20 is so shaped adjacent the opening- 23 tordirect any air or water flowing through the conduit 20 into the tub I 0 through the opening 23.

Figure 3 and Figure 2 disclose the water inlet system. As shown particularly in Figure 3, a,

water inlet nozzle 25 is mounted on the blower housing l9 by means of a bracket 26. The nozzle is directed toward an opening 21 in the blower housing i9 in such a manner that the stream of water emitting from the nozzle 25 will enter the housing IS through the opening 21 and will strike a. dividing blade 28, with the result that the stream of water will be divided with the major portion of the water flowing through the conduit 20, over the heating elements 24 and into the tub l through the opening 23, while a lesser portion of the water will be deflected downward through the condensing tube l8 and into the tub Ill through the sump l1. As was previously mentioned the wall 24B has been so formed as to direct the stream of water through the opening 23 and into the clothes containing cylinder ll through the screened front wall l2 thereof. It is apparent from inspection of Fi ure 3 that a gap exists between the end of the nozzle '25 and the opening 21. This gap is required by many plumbing codes and is provided in order to preclude any possibility of soapy or dirty water backing up into the water system. As shown in Figure 2, water from a hot water conduit 29 and a cold water conduit 30 enter a mixing valve 3i controlled by a solenoid 32A. The details of such a mixing valve, forming no partof the present invention. Water from the hot and cold conduits 29 and 30 is mixed in the valve 3| to achieve the desired temperature and is carried to the water inlet nozzle 25 by a hose 32. Thus it is apparent that all the water which enters the machine for washing purposes passes either through the heating conduit and over the heating elements 24 and through opening 23 into tub ill, or down the condensing conduit 18 and into the tub Ill through the sump l1. As was previously stated it has been found desirable to. admit the greater part of the water into the tub ID by way of the heating conduit 28, but this may be varied to allow more water to enter via the condensing conduit [8 by adjustment of the nozzle or the dividing blade 28.

Leading from the cold water conduit 32] shown inFigure 2 is a narrow tube 33 which extends to a bracket 34 mounted on the side of the condenser tube l8. An outlet end 35 of the narrow tube 33 is directed toward an opening in the side of the condenser tube 18, the opening in the condenser tube [8 not being shown since it is hidden behind the bracket 34. The gap between the'end 35 of the-tube 34 and the opening inthe conduit i8 is utilized here in the same manner and for the same reason as the gap in the main water inlet at the nozzle 25.

As previously stated, the machine herein under consideration may be used for washing and also for drying. Vlmen used for drying, the motor I5 is put in operation to rotate the cylinder H at tumbling speed through the transmission 16, belt l4 and pulley 13A. Suitable electrical circuits actuate the heating elements 24 and also, with electrical current supplied, the motor 22 is in rotation to cause the blower wheel 21 to rotate and thereby set up a circulation of air which passes over the heating elements 24, through the opening 23, through the screened front wall l2 of the clothes cylinder i l and onto the clothes contained in the cylinder thereby taking up moisture therefrom. The moisture saturated air then passes out the sump l7 and into the condenser tube IB and again into the blower 2i and over the heating elements 24 once again. The heated air willtakeup moisture from the'clothes as they tumble by rotation of the clothes cylinder II, and after the heated air passes over the clothes, as above described, the air is forced upward through the condenser tube l8. One coil 36 in the solenoid 32A is actuated continuously during drying to admit cold water into the condensing conduit through the tube 33. The water so admitted forms a film on the inner surface of the tube l8 as it travels downward leaving room for passage of air in the center of the tube [8 in an upward direction at the same time that water is traveling downward. Thus the cooling effect of the water will condense moisture from the vapor laden air coming into tube Hi from the tub it] and the water film will also take up lint particles which are carried in the air and these lint particles with the condensed moisture will be carried away by the film of water in the condenser tube IS, the water being pumped awa y from the sump ll. For such features reference is here made to my co-pending application Serial Number 3,999 filed January 23, 1948, now Patent No. 2,590,295.

Air circulating through the condensing tube [8 is carried into the heating conduit 20 by the blower wheel 2|. The air thus carried passes over the heating elements 24, strikes the wall 243 and is deflected through the opening 23 in the tub l0 and into the clothes containing cylin der ll through the screened front wall l2 thereof.

During its passage through the conduit 20 and over the heating elements 24 contained therein and through the condensing tube the air carries a certain amount of lint which may be deposited on the walls of said conduit 28, tube 18 or on the heating elements 24. Although the amount of lint deposited during any one use of the machine as a dryer may be insignificant, nonetheless if this lint were permitted to accumulate during repeated use of the machine as a dryer it would be a disadvantage. Such accumulation is prevented in the following manner. As previously described at the time the machine is used as a washer, the solenoid 32A is actuated and water from the hot and cold water conduits 29 and 38 is mixed in the valve 31 to the desired temperature and is carried through the hose 32 to the nozzle 25 mounted on. the blower housing IS. The stream of water discharged from thenozzle 25 enters the blower housing I9- through the opening 21 and strikes the dividing blade 28. As previously mentioned, the greater portion of the water ,passes through the conduit 2!] and over the heatin elements 2% thereby effectively washing off any lint 01' other extraneous matter such as soap which may have adhered to the walls of the conduit or the heating elements 22. Upon striking the wall 243 the water is directed into; the tub lfl through the opening 23 therein and through the screened front wall I 2 of the clothes cylinder H. The portion of. the water discharged from the nozzle 25 which does notpass through the conduit 20 enters the blower housing [9 and removes any lint which may be contained on the blower wheel 21 or on the interior of the housing I9; after which it runs down the interior of the. condensing tube 18. Although the water admittedto'the condensing tube [8 through the tube 33 during drying removes most of the lint from the interior of the condensing tube, there is a portion; of the condensing tube lil which is above the opening in the tube 18 adjacent the tube 33 and-this portion of the condensin tube [8 would not be. cleansed were it not for the water from the nozzle 25. The

water which runs down the tube l8 finds its way into the tub I!) through the sump I'I therein.

During the washing period, soapy water is free to enter the heating chamber and also enters the condensing tube I8 through the sump l! to a height in the condensing tube corresponding to the water level in the tub I9. However, any soap suds and scum which are left in the heating chamber 20 or the condensing tube l8 are washed out by the clear rinse water which enters through the nozzle immediately subsequent to the wash period.

Thus it is apparent that with the present construction all the places where lint may accumulate during the time the machine is used as a dryer are flushed out each time the machine is used as a Washer. Since the machine is designed to first wash and then dry a load of clothes, it is apparent that no more lint than that deposited during one using is ever accumulated in the machine. The present construction also makes it possible to have aheating chamber in direct communication with a washing chamber in a combination washing and drying machine Without the necessity of having any closure between the heating and washing chamber.

I claim:

1. In a combined washing and drying machine having a containing member in which clothing or other fabrics are both washed and dried, a heating chamber adjacent to and communicating with said clothes containing member, a heating element within said chamber, a conduit adapted to convey moisture laden air from said clothes containing member to said heating chamber, a water inlet positioned at the juncture of said conduit and said heating chamber, and a dividing element adapted to direct part of a stream of water through said heating chamber over said heating element and thence into said clothing containing member and the other part of said stream of water down said conduit and thence into said clothes containin member,

2. In a combination washing and drying machine of the type having a rotatable cylinder in which clothing or other fabrics are tumbled during both washing and drying, a heating chamber adjacent to and communicating with said rotatable cylinder, a conduit adapted to convey moisture laden air from said clothes containing member to said heating chamber, a blower located at the juncture of said conduit and said heating chamber to force air from said conduit into said heating chamber, a housing for said blower, a dividing blade inside said housing, a water inlet member mounted on said housing to direct a stream of water to strike said dividing blade in such a manner as to deflect a portion of said water into said heating chamber and a portion of said water over said blower and into said conduit.

3. In a combination Washing and drying machine of the type having a tub with a perforated rotatable cylinder mounted therein in which clothing or other fabrics are tumbled during both washing and drying, a heating chamber adjacent and communicating with said tub and cylinder, a heating element mounted inside said heating chamber, a sump at the bottom of said tub, a

conduit connecting said sump with said heating chamber, a blower at the juncture of said conduit and said heating element to withdraw air from said conduit and force it into said heating chamber, a housing for said'blower, a dividing blade inside said housing, a water inlet member mounted on said housing to direct a stream of water to strike said dividing blade in such a manner as to direct a portion of said water into said heating chamber over said heating element and thence into said tub and a portion of said water over said blower into said conduit and thence into said tub through said sump.

4. In a combination washing and drying machine of the type having a rotatable cylinder in which clothing or other fabrics are tumbled during both washing and drying, a heating chamber adjacent to and communicating with said rotatable cylinder, a conduit adapted to convey moisture laden air from said clothes containing member to said heating chamber, a blower located at the juncture of said conduit and said heating chamber to force air from said conduit into said heating chamber, a housing for said blower having an opening therein, a water inlet nozzle so positioned on said housing as to direct a stream of water across the gap between said nozzle and said housing and into said opening in said housing and a dividing element adapted to direct a portion of said stream into said heating chamber and the remainder thereof into said conduit.

5. In a combination washing and drying machine of the type having a rotatable cylinder in which clothing or other fabrics are tumbled during both washing and drying, a heating chamber adjacent to and communicating with said rotatable cylinder, a conduit adapted to convey moisture laden air from said clothes containing member to said heating chamber, a blower located at the juncture of said conduit and said heating chamber, a housing for said blower having an opening therein, a water inlet nozzle so positioned on said housing as to direct a stream of water across the gap between said nozzle and said housing and into said opening on said housing, a

dividing blade inside said housing to divide said stream of water in such a manner as to deflect a portion of said water into said heating chamber and thence into said tub and a portion of said water over said blower, into said conduit and thence into said tub.

ARTHUR R. CONSTANTINE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 660,431 Hardwick Oct. 23, 1900 1,077,330 Clarke Nov. 4, 1913 1,980,860 Hetzer Nov. 13, 1934 2,030,394 Pierce Feb. 11, 1936 2,197,294 Brockbank Apr. 16, 1940 2,254,269 Clark Sept. 2, 1941 2,399,555 Locke Apr. 39, 1946 2,417,908 Bowen Mar. 25, 1947 2,498,179 Oliver Feb. 21, 1950 

